YOU! are the light of the world.

One day Jesus pointed to a group of ordinary people. He said to his disciples – a collection of simple fishermen, tax collectors, and the like – "You are the light of the world."

Matt 5: 14 – 16: "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

 

Jesus said God's people become the light of the "world." He says God's people are to give light to "everyone in the house." He says their light is to shine "before men." The people of Christ’s church are used by the Lord to lead the world, other people, from darkness into the glorious light of the Gospel.

 

As we all know, even the smallest of lights chases the darkness away. For instance, in complete darkness the flicker of a match can be seen from 30 kilometers away. If the light does not shine, it is not because of the darkness. Darkness cannot put out a light. Darkness gets darker only because the light fails. There can be no such thing as secret discipleship, for either the secrecy destroys the discipleship, or the discipleship destroys the secrecy as it means that the Gospel-light shines through us. Jesus said: “YOU are the light of the world.

 

This implies a challenge to anyone associated with a Christian Church. As a Christian and as a household of believers, you may find someone who is not a Jesus-follower.

Maybe it is someone in your own family. Maybe it is someone you work with. Maybe it is a neighbour. Maybe it is someone you have daily contact with. Pick an unbeliever and as a follower of Jesus, or a leader in a Christian household, love them by sharing with them the promises of Christ.

Let the light of Christ’s love shine through YOU.

 

Jesus combines the light that must be shone with good works that must be done.

Many of you have done that. When we go to someone who is hurting or sick or grief-stricken and we love them and support them and enfold them – it makes unbelievers think about what is missing in their lives. They see our love and want to be part of our circle of believers and our caring Christian family.

Being the light of the world, is to bring people from darkness to light, because the light of Jesus shines through us!

 

“Father, by the power of the Holy Spirit, anoint our lives, our testimony, as Christians and the ministries of our congregations, to become THE LIGHT to those hurting themselves as they stumble in the darkness without Jesus. Amen.”